Building Our Boats

why does it always

come as a shock

when we know that death

is the only certainty?

perhaps life is designed

in a way that drowns us

and makes us forget

that we are only here

for a moment.

that our bodies

are but fleeting

casing our souls

that are permanent.

so when someone disappears

into the horizon

for the next sojourn,

we mourn

and make plans

to prepare for our own.

when we feel like drowning,

we cling with desperation

to the rope

to keep us afloat.

for most days, we forget

we are swimming

in a larger ocean,

against strong currents,

and we must keep building

our own boats

to safely carry us

ashore.